Also check the 7 churches of Asia Minor and the Menorah Candlestick and It's Symbolism. Be sure to view my channel on youtube and my pinterest page. Also check the Biblewheel menu comparing each book, chapter and so on with one another.

When you look at the pattern of the Biblewheel, where the pattern of the Hebrew Alphabet, being 22 letters is found not only in the Alphabetic Psalms and poetic parts of the Bible, but also found in the pattern of books and chapters and numerical values within the text as well (days, years, amounts mentioned in the text).

This alpha-numerical pattern is found in history as well. In this case let us compare the Spokes of the Biblewheel with the books of the Bible related to the Spoke as well as the letter of the Hebrew Alphabet.

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The Byzantine Empire plays a big role when comparing the Spokes (as in the Spoke of a wheel) from the 4th Century to the 15th when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks. You're going to understand that God has designed it to be that way because it reflects similar things from the Bible.

The BibleWheel Menu with Post-Christian History and Links
Spokes	Hebrew Alphabet which represents each spoke	Comparing the Books and Chapters of the Bible Related to the Spoke with Post-Christian History	The Books and Chapters of The Bible Related To
Spoke 1	א - Aleph	Spoke 1: The Biblewheel and The 1st Century The Roman Empire	Genesis/Isaiah/Romans
Spoke 2	ב - Beith	Spoke 2: The Biblewheel and The 2nd Century Romans persecutions just as Pharaoh commanded the children of the Hebrews to be thrown in the river in Exodus the 2nd book and Herod commanded the children under 2 years old to be slain in Bethlehem in Matthew 2.	Exodus/Jeremiah/1Corinthians Matthew 2
Spoke 3	גֹ - Gimel	Spoke 3: The Biblewheel and The 3rd Century	Leviticus/Lamentations/2Corinthians
Spoke 4	ר - Daleth	Spoke 4: The Biblewheel and The 4th Century - Julian the apostate returns to the worship of gods and to the ancient Greek philosophers; - Julian was at first in charge of Gaul; - the connection between Galatians and Gaul (France); - Augustine of Hippo (13 November 354 and died 28 August 430) was inspired on allegorizing the city of God, which was published in the early 5th century; - the Vandal (meaning wanderers) conquest of the Western Roman Empire; - the 4th Century Armenian lords defect to the Parthians.	Numbers/Ezekiel/Galatians
Spoke 5	ה - Hey	Spoke 5: The Biblewheel and The 5th Century - the life of Jerome reflects the life of Daniel; - the vision Mesrob Mashtotz had (or the legend) that God was writing the new Armenian Alphabet to teach the Armenians to read in an alphabet suitable to their pronunciations; - Armenia is separated between the Parthian/Sasanids and the Byzantines; - the Sassanid king allowed the invention of the Armenian Alphabet with the intention of separating Armenia from the Byzantines for the Sassanids. But the Armenia drew closer to the Byzantines by sending students to Constantinople to study texts. Thus Sassanid persecutions began; - Theodosius II Emperor of the Byzantines was known for the codification of law (Codex Theodosianus); - the Council of Ephesus pope/bishop Celestine sides Cyril of Alexandria to opposed Patriarch Nestorius as heretic.	Deuteronomy/Daniel/Ephesians
Spoke 6	ו - Vav	Spoke 6: The Biblewheel and The 6th Century - Gregory (bishop of Rome) and Augustine preach to the Brits (to live is Christ and to die is gain in Philippians); - Kaleb of Axum, king of Axum Ethiopia, named after Caleb of the Bible defends Christians in the Middle East; - the Justinian dynasty (which includes Justin I, Justinian I and Justin II) lasts 2/3 of the 6th century; - Justinian I reconquers the Mediterranean (like Joshua did Canaan); - Empress Theodora was said to be a harlot who became the wife of Justinian I; - the Nika riots was when Justinian I thought to flee the palace but Theodora his wife persuaded him to stay, be courageous and not give up his crown; - Tiberius II Constantine removes the taxation on the bread and the wine which Justinian I had placed.	Joshua/Hosea/Philippians
Spoke 7	ז - Zayin	Spoke 7: The Biblewheel and The 7th Century - Boniface cut down the Thor's Oak; - the Heraclian dynasty almost lasts the entire 7th century. The book of Judges the 7th book of the bible is a book on heroes called judges who saved Israel; - Heraclius Byzantine Emperor beheaded his predecessor for raping an aristocrat's wife and defeated his enemies, but then married his niece and fell out of favor and saw the rising threat of Islam. The 7th Commandment is not to commit adultery; - Heraklonas was the first to be mutilated to prevent him to become emperor like Adonibezek and Samson in Judges the 7th book; - the Colossus of Rhodes' parts were melted and used for coins by Muslims; - Justinian II Rhinotmetos was also mutilated. Rhinotmetos, his nickname means the Slit-nosed. After being imprisoned by the Khazars he flees and slays two men and returns to the throne in Constantinople; - 20 years' anarchy followed after Justinian II's first reign (just like the book of Judges, the 7th book when no king ruled over Israel); - the fate of Colossae to whom the 7th epistle is written to. - the Battle of Yarmouk is when the Byzantines lost against the Muslims. The Byzantines outnumbered them but were not organized due to their religions convictions; - the rise of Islam; - Yazid I breaks the oath of allegiance that his father had made to give the Caliphate back to Hassan the eldest son of Muhammad's daughter Fatimah and of Ali; - the 7th Century conflict of the Caliphate succession compared to the 7th book of the Bible Judges' falling of the Holy Spirit on whomever God saw fit and the issue of taxation/tributary in the middle east.	Judges/Joel/Colossians
Spoke 8	חֹ - Chet	Spoke 8: The Biblewheel and The 8th Century - Iconoclasm (destroying icons used for worship) in the Byzantine Empire and Islam which although eventually the Arab invasions ceased when the Abbasids turned against the Umayyads and took control in the Middle East, this created an inner-struggle in the Byzantine Empire as it did to the Thessalonians when the gospel was preached unto them in the 8th epistle 1Thessalonians; - Arab-Byzantine wars; - Franks under Charles Martel defeat the Umayyads in tours; - Frank and Charles mean free; - the Abbasids seek wisdom and learning; - Scottish monks from Ireland offer to teach wisdom at the time of Charlemagne. - Byzantine Empress Irene stops the Iconoclasm (destruction of icons) which Emperor Leo III the Isaurian had begun; - the short reign of Constantine VI and his imprisonment by his mother Irene; - the Second council of Nicaea reverses the council of Hieira on Iconoclasm; - Byzantine Empire Under the Isaurian Dynasty.	Ruth/Amos/1Thessalonians
Spoke 9	ט - Tet	Spoke 9: The Biblewheel and The 9th Century - king Alfred chased by the Vikings giving himself to prayer and singing psalms; - Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros I's skull used for cup for wine to Krum the king of Bulgaria; - Nikephoros' son, Staurakios, though injured in the battle faought alongside his father becomes emperor; - Emperor Michael I Rhangabe, son-in-law of Nikephoros I, reduces taxes that his father-in-law had raised; - the Athinganoi were perhaps either Gentile converts to Judaism or Gentile Christians which had Judaic practices, which were also a part of the Iconoclastic movement of the 9th century; - Emperor Leo V mistrusts his companion Michael II the Amorian and jails him. And he enthrones his son Constantine as co-emperor. But Michael's men assassinate him. An evil spirit is set between Leo V and Michael II; - Emperor Theophilos dies in sickness. He was the last Iconoclast emperor. His wife Theodora ends the movement; - Rome assumes independence and Popes anoint kings (Charlemagne was anointed on Christmas day 800AD. The 9th century would be from 801AD but if the dating system of the Bible is 14 days before Passover then his anointing would have been in the 8th Century); - Pope Leo III anoints Charlemagne; - Pope Paschal I anoints Lothair; - Pope Stephen IV anoints Louis the Pious; - Nasr/Theophobos a Sassanian and his men seek refuge in the Christian Byzantine Empire; - Emperor Michael III plays favoritism. He easily honors people; - future Byzantine Emperor Basil I's humble beginnings and defeat of a Bulgarian champion. - Emperor Basil I joins Holy Roman Emperor Louis II against the Arabs in the Arab-Byzantine wars; - Emperor Leo VI the Wise is hated by his father because he suspects he is Michael III's son (since Michael III gave Basil I, his father, his mistress for wife); - Averardo de Medici a knight in Charlemagne's army defeated the giant Mugello; - Alamut Castle as the Eagle's Nest in Obadiah's Prophecy	1Samuel (1Kings)/Obadiah/2Thessalonians
Spoke 10	י - Yod	Spoke 10: The Biblewheel and The 10th Century - Otto means riches related to the meaning of the Hebrew word for the number 10; - Otto I the Great of the Holy Roman Empire crowned as well as Otto II and Otto III near the end of the 10th Century; - Pope Gregory V the son of Salian Otto. - Leo VI (the Wise) enters the Hagia Sophia Church on his knees to beg God for forgiveness for his 4th marriage, which was forbidden by the Byzantine Rite. - Byzantine Alexander III was the first to be titled Autokrator; - Romanos I Lekapenos resigns from the throne after his son's death; - Constantine VII was born in the palace despite him being the son of the 4th woman of Leo IV the Wise. The approval was not given at first, and therefore he was considered illegitimate, but approved later on. He was a writer/scholar like David; - Olga the Kievan Rus princess converts to Christianity. She was enticed to marry her husband's murderer, but she refuses and retaliates. - Romanos II sought after pleasure; - Marianos Argyros, a monk and supporter of the rule of Constantine VII's descendants and entered the imperial service and fought the general Nikephoros II Phokas, who sought to take over the throne. He was killed by a woman throwing down a platter from a roof. - Nikephoros II Phokas killed in bed like Ishbosheth, the son of Saul; - John I Tzimiskes covets the throne; - Empress Theophano was elevated to the throne but became the reason why her husband Romanos II was killed and so was the next to the throne Nikephoros II Phokas by John I Tzimiskes; - Byzantine Emperor Basil II in constant warfare and yet he was a conquering king as David. - Basil II in his lack of confidence that there would be security within the region of Constantinople, sought Normen to Guard the city and the palace, called the Varangian Guard.	2Samuel (2Kings)/Jonah/1Timothy
Spoke 11	כ - Kaf	Spoke 11: The Biblewheel and The 11th Century - Paul wrote to Timothy in 2Timothy the 11th book of the 3rd cycle of the Biblewheel, also the 11th Epistle: 2Timothy 1 15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. Could it be that the reason God sent the Seljuks against the Byzantines because the Byzantines/Asians have turned away from God and Paul's teachings? - to end the resistance of the Bulgars, Emperor Basil II blinds the captives and send them to Bulgaria; - Constantine VIII the brother of Basil II and successor makes deathbed wishes for his son to fulfill, like David did to Solomon in the 11th book 1Kings and Paul wrote to Timothy in 2Timothy; - Saint-Anselm, his dream and God living upon high; - Emperor Romanos III Argyros spends and builds; - Michael IV, the money exchanger and counterfeiter marries Zoe the Empress and former wife of Romanos III Argyros on the same day of his death; - Michael V Kalaphates became the adoptive son of Zoe as his uncle Michael IV died. Kalaphates means Caulker related to building. - Empress Zoe Porphyrogenita (purple-born) reigned having a few consecutive husbands, but later co-ruled with her sister Theodora and then brought in a lover, Constantine IX who also had another lover brought in, Maria Skleraina; - Eunuch John the Orphanotrophos; - Michael VI Bringas resigns after general Nikephoros Bryennios (a usurper to the throne) was captured and blinded. However general Isaac I Komnenos' men crowned him emperor; - Constantine X Doukas is appointed emperor from Isaac I Komnenos. He weakens the eastern frontier's defenses, which allows the Georgians to invade with the help of the Turks; - Eudokia Makrembolitissa revoked her oath to remarry to (general) Romanos IV after her husband, Constantine X Doukas' death; - Theodora Anna Doukaina Selvo the daughter of Constantine X Doukas married Domenico Selvo, Doge of Venice (like Ahab king of Israel marrying Jezebel the daughter Ethbaal king of the Zidonians); - Alp Arslan the grand-son of Seljuk the Turk forgives Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes after taking him captive and setting his foot on his neck, and sends him home. But his life is required in Romanos' stead as he is assassinated while extending his bow and arrow to shoot; - Romanos IV Diogenes is deposed in Constantinople and cruelly blinded and exiled and dies from his wounds and was hailed as an upright man. He paid as promised the sum requested by Alp Arslan; - the devaluation of the Byzantine currency in Michael VII Doukas Parapinakes (minus a quarter) days; - Emperor Nikephoros III Botaneiates; - Emperor Alexios I Komnenos was brought to royalty by adoption. He persuaded the West to join them to battle the Turks, the Crusades; - Emperor John II Komnenos is crowned after providing his dying father's signet ring just as Solomon rode his father David's mule; - Venetian Domenico I Contarini was known for building churches and monasteries in Venice; - Otto Orsoleo married Giovani Orsoleo to the Niece of Basil II, the Byzantine Emperor, Maria Argyra; - Grimelda the daughter of Géza, Grand Prince of the Hungarians married Otto Orseolo the doge of Venice. Their daughter Frozza Orseolo married Adalbert the margrave of Austria; - Stephen I king of Croatia married Hicela Orseolo the daughter of Pietro II Orseolo; - the Great Schism between East and West; - Peter Krešimir IV king of Croatia realigns to the West, to Rome; - a Solomon reigns in Hungary; - The last doge Ludovico Manin after 1100 years abdicated (687-1797).	1Kings (3Kings)/Micah/2Timothy
Spoke 12	ל - Lamed	Spoke 12: The Biblewheel and The 12th Century - John II Komnenos builds a hospital; - Manuel I Komnenos and his political alliances with the Latins; - Vitale II Michiel the Doge of Venice is murdered by a Venetian as he fails to negotiate a truce with the Byzantine Emperor Manuel Komnenos; - the AIMA prophecy is the acronym, the first letters of each ruler's name put together which spells AIMA, meaning blood in Greek. This first occurred with Alexios I, Ioannes I (John I), Manuel I and Alexios II. It is repeated with Andronikos I, Isaac Angelos, Manuel (Emperor of Trebizond) into the 13th Century, Andronikos I. And from Trebizond it reappears Andronikos I Gidos (r. 1222–1235), Ioannes I Axouchos(r. 1235–1238), Manuel Megas Komnenos (r. 1238–1263), and Andronikos II Megas Komnenos (r. 1263–1266); - Field of Blood is a place of bloodshed near Antioch reminding of Judas the 12th disciple of Jesus buying of a field and hang himself; - Levon I founds the Armenian kingdom of Cilicia in the the last few years of the 12th Century and into the 13th. He shelters lepers; - Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury was murdered by king Henry II of England over the issue of signing of the Constitutions of Clarendon. But his murderers including the king sought repentance afterwards. - Bernard of Clairvaux from the late 11th century and early 12th century known to have made some miracles like Elijah and Elisha and wasn't afraid to rebuke authorities; - Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa of the Holy Roman Empire; - Saladin takes Jerusalem from Amalric, sends medicine to his ill opponent Richard the Lionheart during the 3rd Crusade; - the Lombard bankers; - Saint-Francis of Assissi and Elizabeth of Hungary and their life given to hospitality; - The Order of Saint-Lazarus founded in Jerusalem for lepers; - Robert the Leper of Antioch; - Baldwin IV the Leper the son of Amalric reigned as King of Jerusalem; - Peter Waldo began to preach and teach publicly and condemned what he considered as papal excesses and Catholic dogmas, including purgatory and transubstantiation; - Waldo and one of his disciples went to Rome, where they were welcomed by Pope Alexander III and the Roman Curia; - they desired the gospel in the vulgate (local language).	2Kings (4Kings)/Nahum/Titus
Spoke 13	מ - Mayim	Spoke 13: The Biblewheel and The 13th Century - population into the cities; - the Albigensian heresy led to the inquisition of the matter and followed by the crusade by Pope Innocent III; - after the takeover of the Byzantine territories by the Latins, Tzar Kaloyan of the Bulgarian empire, in his battle of Adrianople supposedly used Baldwin I's head for a drinking cup. While this might be a rumor he certainly did it with Boniface I of Montferrat who ruled Thessalonica (Just like what the Philistines did to king Saul's head in the 13th book 1Chronicles 10); - Michael VIII Paleiologos works as mercenary of the Christian band in the Turkish Sultanate of Rum. He returns to Nicaea and reconquers the west except for Constantinople. One of his generals Alexios Strategopoulos conquers the city overnight and Baldwin II the Latin king flees with his men; - Kaykhusraw II (who faced the Mongol invasion) was half Greek as well as his son Kaykaus II and had Christian mercenaries, including Michael VIII Paleiologos; - Andronikos II Paleiologos the son of Michael VIII takes over the throne until the first third of the 14th Century; - Thomas Aquinas was said to be absent minded but that was probably his mind was continually working for knowledge (1Chronicles the 13th book begins with gathering of information/knowledge); - Genghis Khan rises to power after being intimidated by his surroundings like David; - Genghis Khan is still worshiped in Mongolia; - the empire of Trebizond is founded by David Komnenos of Trebizond and his brother Alexios I, the son of Manuel and grand-son of Andronikos (Byzantine Emperor); - Andronikos I of Trebizond is victorious over the Seljuk Turks due to a storm but gives credit to Saint-Eugenios instead of God; - John I of Trebizond was the son of Alexios I of Trebizond and the brother of his successor Manuel I of Trebizond; - Manuel I of Trebizond chose his son Andronikos II to be his successor just as David chose Solomon in the 13th book 1Chronicles; - Andronikos II begins trade and gains recognition by the Genoese and western Europe; - John II of Trebizond's rule faced a Seljuk invasion and many cities were left uninhabited.	1Chronicles/Habakkuk/Philemon
Spoke 14	נ - Nun	Spoke 14: The Biblewheel and The 14th Century - the invention of siege engines and gun powder; - Alexios II of Trebizond and his victory against the Turcomen; - Irene Palaiologina of Trebizond and her sister Anna succeeding on the throne; - Basil of Trebizond wins a supernatural victory over the Turcomen during a thunderstorm; - Andronikos III of Trebizond murders his brothers; - Tamerlane conquers the Golden Horde and the world population is reduced by 5%; - the Avignon Papacy also called the Babylonian Captivity of the Papacy and the Western Schism caused the popes to resettle in Avignon for 70 years in order to end the Templars because king Philip IV owed them a large amount of debt; - the Black Death plague spreads throughout Europe. - Pope Boniface VIII and his involvement with foreign affairs	2Chronicles/Zephaniah/Hebrews
Spoke 15	ס - Samek	Spoke 15: The Biblewheel and The 15th Century - the fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the migration of Greek scholars (among others) to the west; - the call of Mehmet II (the Conqueror) of the Ottomans for Christian, Jewish and Islamic prisoners to resettle in Constantinople; - most of the Scottish kings in the 15th century were named James (with the exception of Mary Queen of the Scots); - the invention of the Gutenberg printing press. Even though Johannes Gutenberg printed the first Bible called the Gutenberg Bible he went bankrupt. He was testified against by Johann Fust and Peter Schöffer; - the influence of the Medici the bankers of Florence and the Florin, the currency of Europe at the time; - the opening of the library of San-Marco in Florence sparked the Renaissance on Greek philosophy and literature; - Girolamo Savonarola prophesies the coming of a Cyrus-type figure against Florence and Rome; - Ezra the scribe (the 15th book of the bible) is said to be the flowering according to Rabbinic commentators; - Bayezid II the Ottoman Sultan brings the Sephardic Jews of Spain to Constantinople; - the Wars of the Roses' emblems perhaps associated with the flowering of western Europe started by the Renaissance of Florence.	Ezra/Haggai/James
Spoke 16	ע - Ayin	Spoke 16: The Biblewheel and The 16th Century - Pope Leo X calls for the sales of indulgences to have the money to rebuild the Saint-Peter's basilica; - Martin Luther seeks to know salvation and chooses to join an Augustinian monastery instead of fulfilling his parents' wish of becoming a lawyer; - William Tyndale was jailed before his death (Acts 16 and 2Chronicles 16 mention prison). "Lord! Open the king (Henry VIII) of England's eyes!" Said William Tyndale while he was executed; - the Catholic monarchs ricked the Protestant Huguenots in welcoming them to the king's wedding and to their surprise massacred them on the day of Saint-Bartholomew (Saint-Bartholomew's day massacre). - the 16th century reformation shares a wooden pulpit behind which the bible is read as in the 16th book Nehemiah.	Nehemiah/Zechariah/1Peter
Spoke 17	פ - Peh	Spoke 17: The Biblewheel and The 17th Century - King James I Stuart of England ordered the translation of the bible from the original manuscripts to be used in the churches of England as the standard English Bible; - Kosem Sultan the Greek Esther in the Ottoman Empire; - 17th Century, the Baroque Period of showing off art and architecture; - 30 Years' War like the conflict in the book of Esther and in Acts 17 after Paul preached in Thessalonica. A scientific revolution occured after the people settled from the war; - the city of Magdeburg was set on fire by the forces Catholic league just like the Amalekites who burned Ziklag; - following the peace of Westphalia (the 30 Years' War) came a revolution in science which also leads man to perhaps doubt the existence of God; - Isaac Newton, known for his scientific studies was more interested in not only the Bible, but also other religions as well and believed God to be one instead of a Trinity. - Just as Ahasuerus the king of Persia and Media extended his kingdom to India the Dutch did the same along with other countries as the British, Denmark and France.	Esther/Malachi/2Peter
Spoke 18	צ - Tzaddei	Spoke 18: The Biblewheel and The 18th Century - the modern missionary movements; - Jonathan Edwards; - the 1st Great Awakening; - Napoleon conquers most of Western Europe and some of the East;	Job/Matthew/1John
Spoke 19	ק - Qof	Spoke 19: The Biblewheel and The 19th Century - the many voices and opinions caused movements based on ideologies forming a nation for each language (which means the breakdown of empires); - the 2nd Great Awakening; - Romantic music is the rise of the freedom of emotional expression in music; - the invention of the telephone. - the building of the Statue of Liberty and the founding of the Shriners in New York City reflects the Diana of the Ephesians and her shrine in Acts 19; - the invention of the locomotive; - the Age of Ideologies; - Giuseppe Mazzini a member of the Action Party and the beginning of the Young movements; - Both the Hebrew words for “cry” and “voice” are Qum words, the 19th letter of the Hebrew alphabet, qra and qol are used in Acts 19 as voices of confusion crying out different things in protest; - Conservatism - Classical Liberalism - Romanticism - Nationalism - Socialism - Feminism	Psalms/Mark/2John
Spoke 20	ר - Reish	Spoke 20: The Biblewheel and The 20th Century - Age of Scientific and Medical advancement	Proverbs/Luke/3John
Spoke 21	שׁ - Shin	Spoke 21: The Biblewheel and The 21th Century	Ecclesiastes/John/Jude
Spoke 22	ת - Tav	Spoke 22: The Biblewheel and The 22nd Century	Song of Solomon/Acts of the Apostles/Revelation

Here's a list of the Byzantine Emperors to give you an idea of how the numerical order of books of the Bible (divided into the 22 spokes related to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet). Each century shows most likely a new dynasty, a new theme of events, victories and losses for different reasons. Some of the names are already mentioned above.

Upon observation the Constantinian Dynasty (from Constantine the Great) along with the Valentinian Dynasty cover the 4th century. Although the Theodosian Dynasty begins in the lat 4th century it covers the 5th century. Along with the Leonid Dynasty in the late 5th century. Just as Moses authored the first five books of the Bible, Theodosius II made laws for the Roman Empire.

The Justinian Dynasty covers the remaining 6th Century. Justinian's period was a period of gaining courage and conquering the Mediterranean just as Joshua the 6th book shows Moses encouraged Joshua to take the responsibility and leadership upon his shoulders and conquer the land of Canaan.

The Heraclian Dynasty covers the 7th Century followed by 20 years of anarchy. The Heraclians were known to fight with all their might to preserve their Empire. Heraklios the first of his dynasty divided the land into themes, similar to provinces, but gave generals to govern each theme since they weren't able to pay them for their services. This is similar to the Beginning of the 7th book Judges where the narration repeats itself of what happened in the previous book, Joshua after they conquered the land of Canaan dividing the land into the tribes of Israel (Judges 1-2).

The Nicephorian Dynasty covers the beginning of the 9th century. Nikephoros is a type of king Saul from the 9th book of the Bible 1Samuel. And Basil I the Macedonian is a type of David. Just as Basil I wins wrestling match against a Bulgar wrestler, David wins his fight against the Goliath.

List of Byzantine emperors

Emperor of the Romans
Imperial

Last in Office Constantine XI 6 January 1449 – 29 May 1453
Details
First monarch	Constantine I
Last monarch	Constantine XI
Formation	11 May 330
Abolition	29 May 1453
Residence	Great Palace, Blachernae Palace
Appointer	Non-specified, de facto hereditary^[1]
Pretender(s)	None

This is a list of the Byzantine emperors from the foundation of Constantinople in 330 AD, which marks the conventional start of the Byzantine Empire (or the Eastern Roman Empire), to its fall to the Ottoman Empire in 1453 AD. Only the emperors who were recognized as legitimate rulers and exercised sovereign authority are included, to the exclusion of junior co-emperors (symbasileis) who never attained the status of sole or senior ruler, as well as of the various usurpers or rebels who claimed the imperial title.
Traditionally, the line of Byzantine emperors is held to begin with the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor, who rebuilt the city of Byzantium as an imperial capital, Constantinople, and who was regarded by the later emperors as the model ruler. It was under Constantine that the major characteristics of what is considered the Byzantine state emerged: a Roman polity centered at Constantinople and culturally dominated by the Greek East, with Christianity as the state religion.
The Byzantine Empire was the direct legal continuation of the eastern half of the Roman Empire following the division of the Roman Empire in 395. Emperors listed below up to Theodosius I in 395 were sole or joint rulers of the entire Roman Empire. The Western Roman Empire continued until 476. Byzantine emperors considered themselves to be rightful Roman emperors in direct succession from Augustus;^[2] the term "Byzantine" was coined by Western historiography only in the 16th century. The use of the title "Roman Emperor" by those ruling from Constantinople was not contested until after the Papal coronation of the Frankish Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor (25 December 800), done partly in response to the Byzantine coronation of Empress Irene, whose claim, as a woman, was not recognized by Pope Leo III.
The title of all Emperors preceding Heraclius was officially "Augustus", although other titles such as Dominus were also used. Their names were preceded by Imperator Caesar and followed by Augustus. Following Heraclius, the title commonly became the Greek Basileus (Gr. Βασιλεύς), which had formerly meant sovereign, though Augustus continued to be used in a reduced capacity. Following the establishment of the rival Holy Roman Empire in Western Europe, the title "Autokrator" (Gr. Αὐτοκράτωρ) was increasingly used. In later centuries, the Emperor could be referred to by Western Christians as the "Emperor of the Greeks". Towards the end of the Empire, the standard imperial formula of the Byzantine ruler was "[Emperor's name] in Christ, Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans" (cf. Ῥωμαῖοι and Rûm). When on occasion rendering their names and titles in Latin in the centuries following the adoption of Basileus and Greek language, Byzantine rulers used Imperator for senior emperors and Rex for junior emperors, as seen in coins of Michael III and his junior emperor Basil I.^[3]
In the medieval period, dynasties were common, but the principle of hereditary succession was never formalized in the Empire,^[4] and hereditary succession was a custom rather than an inviolable principle.^[1]

List of Emperors

For Roman emperors before Constantine I, see List of Roman emperors.

Portrait	Name	Reign	Notes
Constantinian dynasty (306–363)

See also: Constantinian dynasty
	Constantine I the Great (Greek: Κωνσταντῖνος Αʹ ὁ Μέγας, Latin: Gaius Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus)	19 September 324 – 22 May 337	Born at Naissus ca. 272 as the son of the Augustus Constantius Chlorus and Helena. Proclaimed Augustus of the western empire upon the death of his father on 25 July 306, he became sole ruler of the western empire after the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312. In 324, he defeated the eastern Augustus Licinius and re-united the empire under his rule, reigning as sole emperor until his death. Constantine completed the administrative and military reforms begun under Diocletian, who had begun ushering in the Dominate period. Actively interested in Christianity, he played a crucial role in its development and the Christianization of the Roman world, through his convocation of the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea. He is said to have received baptism on his deathbed. He also reformed coinage through the introduction of the gold solidus, and initiated a large-scale building program, crowned by the re-foundation the city of Byzantium as "New Rome", popularly known as Constantinople. He was regarded as the model of all subsequent Byzantine emperors.^[3]
	Constantius II (Κωνστάντιος [Βʹ], Flavius Iulius Constantius)	22 May 337 – 5 October 361	Born on 7 August 317, as the second surviving son of Constantine I, he inherited the eastern third of Roman Empire upon his father's death, sole Roman Emperor from 353, after the overthrow of the western usurper Magnentius. Constantius' reign saw military activity on all frontiers, and dissension between Arianism, favoured by the emperor, and the "Orthodox" supporters of the Nicene Creed. In his reign, Constantinople was accorded equal status to Rome, and the original Hagia Sophia was built. Constantius appointed Constantius Gallus and Julian as Caesares, and died on his way to confront Julian, who had risen up against him.^[5]
	Constans I (Κῶνστας Αʹ, Flavius Iulius Constans)	22 May 337 – January 350	Born c. 323, the third surviving son of Constantine I. Caesar since 333, he inherited the central third of Roman Empire upon his father's death, and became sole emperor in the west following the death of Constantine II in 348. An ardent supporter of Athanasius of Alexandria, he opposed Arianism. Constans was assassinated during the coup of Magnentius.^[6]
	Julian the Apostate (Ἰουλιανὸς "ὁ Παραβάτης", Flavius Claudius Iulianus)	5 October 361 – 28 June 363	Born in May 332, grandson of Constantius Chlorus and cousin of Constantius II. Proclaimed by his army in Gaul, became legitimate Emperor upon the death of Constantius. Killed on campaign against Sassanid Persia
Non-dynastic (363–364)

	Jovian (Ἰοβιανός, Flavius Iovianus)	28 June 363 – 17 February 364	Born c. 332. Captain of the guards under Julian, elected by the army upon Julian's death. Died on journey back to Constantinople
Valentinian dynasty (364–379)

See also: Valentinian dynasty
	Valentinian I (Οὐαλεντιανός, Flavius Valentinianus)	26 February 364 – 17 November 375	Born in 321. An officer under Julian and Jovian, he was elected by the army upon Jovian's death. He soon appointed his younger brother Valens as Emperor of the East. Died of cerebral haemorrhage
	Valens (Οὐάλης, Flavius Iulius Valens)	28 March 364 – 9 August 378	Born in 328. A soldier of the Roman army, he was appointed Emperor of the East by his elder brother Valentinian I. Killed at the Battle of Adrianople
	Gratian (Γρατιανός, Flavius Gratianus)	9 August 378 – 19 January 379	Born on 18 April/23 May 359, the son of Valentinian I. Emperor of the West, he inherited rule of the East upon the death of Valens and appointed Theodosius I as Emperor of the East. Assassinated on 25 August 383 during the rebellion of Magnus Maximus
Theodosian dynasty (379–457)

See also: Theodosian dynasty
	Theodosius I "the Great" (Θεοδόσιος Αʹ ὁ Μέγας, Flavius Theodosius)	19 January 379 – 17 January 395	Born on 11 January 347. Aristocrat and military leader, brother-in-law of Gratian, who appointed him as emperor of the East. From 392 until his death sole Roman Emperor.
	Arcadius (Ἀρκάδιος, Flavius Arcadius)	17 January 395 – 1 May 408	Born in 377/378, the eldest son of Theodosius I. On the death of Theodosius I in 395, the Roman Empire was permanently divided between the East Roman Empire, later known as the Byzantine Empire, and the West Roman Empire. Theodosius' eldest son Arcadius became emperor in the East while his younger son Honorius became emperor in the West.
	Theodosius II (Θεοδόσιος Βʹ, Flavius Theodosius)	1 May 408 – 28 July 450	Born on 10 April 401, the only son of Arcadius. Succeeded upon the death of his father. As a minor, the praetorian prefect Anthemius was regent in 408–414. He died in a riding accident.
	Pulcheria (Πουλχερία, Aelia Pulcheria)	28 July 450 – July 453	Born on 19 January 398 or 399. One of the daughters of Arcadius. She reigned alone for a few months and then with her husband Marcian.
	Marcian (Μαρκιανός, Flavius Marcianus Augustus)	450 – January 457	Born in 396. A soldier and politician, he became emperor after being wed by the Augusta Pulcheria, sister of Theodosius II, following the latter's death. Died of gangrene.
Leonid dynasty (457–518)

See also: Leonid dynasty
	Leo I "the Thracian" (Λέων Αʹ ὁ Θρᾷξ, ὁ Μακέλλης, ὁ Μέγας, Flavius Valerius Leo)	7 February 457 – 18 January 474	Born in Dacia ca. 400, and of Bessian origin, Leo became a low-ranking officer and served as an attendant of the Gothic commander-in-chief of the army, Aspar, who chose him as emperor on Marcian's death. He was the first emperor to be crowned by the Patriarch of Constantinople. His reign was marked by the pacification of the Danube frontier and peace with Persia, which allowed him to intervene in the affairs of the western empire, supporting candidates for the throne and dispatching an expedition to recover Carthage from the Vandals in 468. Initially a puppet of Aspar, Leo began promoting the Isaurians as a counterweight to Aspar's Goths, marrying his daughter Ariadne to the Isaurian leader Tarasicodissa (Zeno). With their support, in 471 Aspar was murdered and Gothic power over the army was broken.^[7]
	Leo II (Λέων Βʹ, Flavius Leo)	19 January – 10 November 474	Born 468, he was the grandson of Leo I by Leo's daughter Ariadne and her Isaurian husband, Zeno. He was raised to Caesar on 18 November 473. Leo ascended the throne after the death of his grandfather, on 19 January 474. He crowned his father Zeno as co-emperor and effective regent on 10 November 474. He died shortly after, on 10 November 474.^[8]^[9]
	Zeno (Ζήνων, Flavius Zeno)	10 November 474 – 9 April 491	Born ca. 425 in Isauria, originally named Tarasicodissa. As the leader of Leo I's Isaurian soldiers, he rose to comes domesticorum, married the emperor's daughter Ariadne and took the name Zeno, and played a crucial role in the elimination of Aspar and his Goths. He was named co-emperor by his son on 9 February 474, and became sole ruler upon the latter's death, but had to flee to his native country before Basiliscus in 475, regaining control of the capital in 476. Zeno concluded peace with the Vandals, saw off challenges against him by Illus and Verina, and secured peace in the Balkans by enticing the Ostrogoths under Theodoric the Great to migrate to Italy. Zeno's reign also saw the end of the western line of emperors. His pro-Monophysite stance made him unpopular and his promulgation of the Henotikon resulted in the Acacian Schism with the papacy.^[10]
	Basiliscus (Βασιλίσκος, Flavius Basiliscus)	9 January 475 – August 476	General and brother-in-law of Leo I, he seized power from Zeno but was again deposed by him. Died in 476/477
	Anastasius I Dicorus (Ἀναστάσιος Αʹ ὁ Δίκορος, Flavius Anastasius)	11 April 491 – 9 July 518	Born ca. 430 at Dyrrhachium, he was a palace official (silentiarius) when he was chosen as her husband and Emperor by Empress-dowager Ariadne. He was nicknamed "Dikoros" (Latin: Dicorus), because of his heterochromia. Anastasius reformed the tax system and the Byzantine coinage and proved a frugal ruler, so that by the end of his reign he left a substantial surplus. His Monophysite sympathies led to widespread opposition, most notably the Revolt of Vitalian and the Acacian Schism. His reign was also marked by the first Bulgar raids into the Balkans and by a war with Persia over the foundation of Dara. He died childless.^[11]
Justinian dynasty (518–602)

See also: Byzantine Empire under the Justinian dynasty
	Justin I (Ἰουστῖνος Αʹ, Flavius Iustinus)	July 518 – 1 August 527	Born c. 450 at Bederiana (Justiniana Prima), Dardania. Officer and commander of the Excubitors bodyguard under Anastasius I, he was elected by army and people upon the death of Anastasius I.
	Justinian I "the Great" (Ἰουστινιανὸς Αʹ ὁ Μέγας, Flavius Petrus Sabbatius Iustinianus)	1 August 527 – 13/14 November 565	Born in 482/483 at Tauresium (Taor), Macedonia. Nephew of Justin I, possibly raised to co-emperor on 1 April 527. Succeeded on Justin I's death. Attempted to restore the western territories of the Empire, reconquering Italy, North Africa and parts of Spain. Also responsible for the corpus juris civilis, or the "body of civil law," which is the foundation of law for many modern European nations.^[12]
	Justin II (Ἰουστῖνος Βʹ, Flavius Iustinus Iunior)	14 November 565 – 5 October 578	Born c. 520. Nephew of Justinian I, he seized the throne on the death of Justinian I with support of army and Senate. Became insane, hence in 573–574 under the regency of his wife Sophia, and in 574–578 under the regency of Tiberius Constantine.
	Tiberius II Constantine (Τιβέριος Βʹ, Flavius Tiberius Constantinus)	5 October 578 – 14 August 582	Born c. 535, commander of the Excubitors, friend and adoptive son of Justin. Was named Caesar and regent in 574. Succeeded on Justin II's death.
	Maurice (Μαυρίκιος, Flavius Mauricius Tiberius)	14 August 582 – 22 November 602	Born in 539 at Arabissus, Cappadocia. Became an official and later a general. Married the daughter of Tiberius II and succeeded him upon his death. Named his son Theodosius as co-emperor in 590. Deposed by Phocas and executed on 27 November 602 at Chalcedon.
Non-dynastic (602–610)

	Phocas (Φωκᾶς, Flavius Phocas)	23 November 602 – 4 October 610	Subaltern in the Balkan army, he led a rebellion that deposed Maurice. Increasingly unpopular and tyrannical, he was deposed and executed by Heraclius.
Heraclian dynasty (610–695)

See also: Byzantine Empire under the Heraclian dynasty
	Heraclius (Ἡράκλειος, Flavius Heraclius)	5 October 610 – 11 February 641	Born c. 575 as the eldest son of the Exarch of Africa, Heraclius the Elder. Began a revolt against Phocas in 609 and deposed him in October 610. Brought the Byzantine-Sassanid War of 602–628 to successful conclusion but was unable to stop the Muslim conquest of Syria. Officially replaced Latin with Greek as the language of administration.
	Constantine III formally Heraclius New Constantine (Ἡράκλειος νέος Κωνσταντῖνος, Heraclius Novus Constantinus)	11 February – 24/26 May 641	Born on 3 May 612 as the eldest son of Heraclius by his first wife Fabia Eudokia. Named co-emperor in 613, he succeeded to throne with his younger brother Heraklonas following the death of Heraclius. Died of tuberculosis, allegedly poisoned by Empress-dowager Martina.
	Heraklonas (Ἡρακλωνᾶς, Heraclianus) formally Constantine Heraclius (Κωνσταντῖνος Ἡράκλειος, Constantinus Heraclius)	11 February 641 – September 641	Born in 626 to Heraclius' second wife Martina, named co-emperor in 638. Succeeded to throne with Constantine III following the death of Heraclius. Sole emperor after the death of Constantine III, under the regency of Martina, but was forced to name Constans II co-emperor by the army, and was deposed by the Senate in September 641.
	Constans II (Κῶνστας Βʹ) formally Constantine "the Bearded", (Κωνσταντῖνος ὁ Πωγωνάτος)	September 641 – 15 September 668	Born on 7 November 630, the son of Constantine III. Raised to co-emperor in summer 641 after his father's death due to army pressure, he became sole emperor after the forced abdication of his uncle Heraklonas. Baptized Heraclius, he reigned as Constantine. "Constans" is his nickname. Moved his seat to Syracuse, where he was assassinated, possibly on the orders of Mizizios.
	Constantine IV "the Bearded" (Κωνσταντῖνος Δʹ ὁ Πωγωνάτος)	15 September 668 – September 685	Born in 652, he succeeded following the murder of his father Constans II. Erroneously called "Constantine the Bearded" by historians through confusion with his father. He called the Third Council of Constantinople which condemned the heresy of Monothelitism, repelled the First Arab Siege of Constantinople, and died of dysentery.
	Justinian II "the Slit-nosed" (Ἰουστινιανὸς Βʹ ὁ Ῥινότμητος)	September 685 – 695	Born in 669, son of Constantine IV, he was named co-emperor in 681 and became sole emperor upon Constantine IV's death. Deposed by military revolt in 695, mutilated (hence his surname) and exiled to Cherson, whence he recovered his throne in 705.
Twenty Years' Anarchy (695–717)

Main article: Twenty Years' Anarchy
	Leontios (Λεόντιος)	695–698	General from Isauria, he deposed Justinian II and was overthrown in another revolt in 698. He was executed in February 706.
	Tiberius III Apsimar (Τιβέριος Γʹ Ἀψίμαρος)	698–705	Admiral of Germanic origin, originally named Apsimar. He rebelled against Leontios after a failed expedition. Reigned under the name of Tiberius until deposed by Justinian II in 705. Executed in February 706.
	Justinian II "the Slit-nosed" (Ἰουστινιανὸς Βʹ ὁ Ῥινότμητος)	August 705 – December 711	Returned on the throne with Bulgar support. Named son Tiberius as co-emperor in 706. Deposed and killed by military revolt.
	Philippikos Bardanes (Φιλιππικὸς Βαρδάνης)	December 711 – 3 June 713	A general of Armenian origin, he deposed Justinian II and was in turn overthrown by a revolt of the Opsician troops.
	Anastasios II (Ἀναστάσιος Βʹ)	June 713 – November 715	Originally named Artemios. A bureaucrat and secretary under Philippikos, he was raised to the purple by the soldiers who overthrew Philippikos. Deposed by another military revolt, he led an abortive attempt to regain the throne in 718 and was killed.
	Theodosios III (Θεοδόσιος Γʹ)	May 715 – 25 March 717	A fiscal official, he was proclaimed emperor by the rebellious Opsician troops. Entered Constantinople in November 715. Abdicated following the revolt of Leo the Isaurian and became a monk.
Isaurian dynasty (717–802)

See also: Byzantine Empire under the Isaurian dynasty
	Leo III "the Isaurian" (Λέων Γʹ ὁ Ἴσαυρος)	25 March 717 – 18 June 741	Born c. 685 in Germanikeia, Commagene, he became a general. Rose in rebellion and secured the throne in spring 717. Repelled the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople and initiated the Byzantine Iconoclasm.
	Constantine V "the Dung-named" (Κωνσταντῖνος Εʹ ὁ Κοπρώνυμος)	18 June 741 – 14 September 775	Born in July 718, the only son of Leo III. Co-emperor since 720, he succeeded upon his father's death. After overcoming the usurpation of Artabasdos, he continued his father's iconoclastic policies and won several victories against the Arabs and the Bulgars. He is given the surname "the Dung-named" by hostile later chroniclers.
	Artabasdos (Ἀρτάβασδος)	June 741/742 – 2 November 743	General and son-in-law of Leo III, Count of the Opsician Theme. Led a revolt that secured Constantinople, but was defeated and deposed by Constantine V, who blinded and tonsured him.
	Leo IV "the Khazar" (Λέων Δʹ ὁ Χάζαρος)	14 September 775 – 8 September 780	Born on 25 January 750 as the eldest son of Constantine V. Co-emperor since 751, he succeeded upon his father's death.
	Constantine VI (Κωνσταντῖνος ΣΤʹ)	8 September 780 – April 797	Born in 771, the only child of Leo IV. Co-emperor in 776, sole emperor upon Leo's death in 780, until 790 under the regency of his mother, Irene of Athens. He was overthrown on Irene's orders, blinded and imprisoned, probably dying of his wounds shortly after.
	Irene of Athens (Εἰρήνη ἡ Ἀθηναία)	April 797 – 31 October 802	Born c. 752 in Athens, she married Leo IV. Regent for her son Constantine VI in 780–790, she overthrew him in 797 and became empress-regnant. In 787 she called the Second Council of Nicaea which condemned the practice of iconoclasm and restored the veneration of icons to Christian practice. Deposed in a palace coup in 802, she was exiled and died on 9 August 803.
Nikephorian dynasty (802–813)

Main article: Byzantine Empire under the Nikephorian dynasty
	Nikephoros I "Genikos" or "the Logothete" (Νικηφόρος Αʹ ὁ Γενικός/ὁ Λογοθέτης)	31 October 802 – 26 July 811	Logothetes tou genikou (general finance minister) under Irene, led initially successful campaigns against the Bulgars but was killed at the Battle of Pliska.
	Staurakios (Σταυράκιος)	26 July 811 – 2 October 811	Only son of Nikephoros I, crowned co-emperor in December 803. Succeeded on his father's death; however, he had been heavily wounded at Pliska and left paralyzed. He was forced to resign, and retired to a monastery where he died soon after.
	Michael I Rangabe (Μιχαὴλ Αʹ Ῥαγγαβέ)	2 October 811 – 22 June 813	Son-in-law of Nikephoros I, he succeeded Staurakios on his abdication. Resigned after the revolt under Leo the Armenian and retired to a monastery, where he died on 11 January 844. Reigned with eldest son Theophylact as co-emperor.
Non-dynastic (813–820)

	Leo V "the Armenian" (Λέων Εʹ ὁ Ἀρμένιος)	11 July 813 – 25 December 820	General of Armenian origin, born c. 755. He rebelled against Michael I and became emperor. Appointed his son Symbatios co-emperor under the name of Constantine on Christmas 813. Revived Byzantine Iconoclasm. Murdered by a conspiracy led by Michael the Amorian.
Amorian dynasty (820–867)

See also: Byzantine Empire under the Amorian dynasty
	Michael II "the Amorian" (Μιχαὴλ Βʹ ὁ ἐξ Ἀμορίου)	25 December 820 – 2 October 829	Born in 770 at Amorium, he became an army officer. A friend of Leo V, he was raised to high office but led the conspiracy that murdered him. Survived the rebellion of Thomas the Slav, lost Crete to the Arabs and faced the beginning of the Muslim conquest of Sicily, reinforced iconoclasm.
	Theophilos (Θεόφιλος)	2 October 829 – 20 January 842	Born in 813, as the only son of Michael II. Co-emperor since 821, he succeeded on his father's death.
	Michael III "the Drunkard" (Μιχαὴλ Γʹ ὁ Μέθυσος)	20 January 842 – 23 September 867	Born on 19 January 840, son of Theophilos, he succeeded on Theophilos' death. Under the regency of his mother Theodora until 856, and under the effective control of his uncle Bardas in 862–866. Ended iconoclasm. Murdered by Basil the Macedonian. A pleasure-loving ruler, he was nicknamed "the Drunkard" by later, pro-Basil chroniclers.
Macedonian dynasty (867–1056)

See also: Macedonian dynasty and Byzantine Empire under the Macedonian dynasty
	Basil I "the Macedonian" (Βασίλειος Αʹ ὁ Μακεδών)	867 – 2 August 886	Born in the Theme of Macedonia ca. 811, he rose in prominence through palace service, becoming a favourite of Michael III. He overthrew Michael and established the Macedonian dynasty. He led successful wars in the East against the Arabs and the Paulicians, and recovered southern Italy for the Empire.
	Leo VI "the Wise" (Λέων ΣΤʹ ὁ Σοφός)	886 – 11 May 912	Born on 19 September 866, either the legitimate son of Basil I or the illegitimate son of Michael III, Leo was known for his erudition. His reign saw a height in Saracen (Muslim) naval raids, culminating in the Sack of Thessalonica, and was marked by unsuccessful wars against the Bulgarians under Simeon I.
	Alexander (Ἀλέξανδρος)	11 May 912 – 6 June 913	Son of Basil I, Alexander was born in 870 and raised to co-emperor in 879. Sidelined by Leo VI, Alexander dismissed his brother's principal aides on his accession. He died of exhaustion after a polo game.
	Constantine VII "the Purple-born" (Κωνσταντῖνος Ζʹ ὁ Πορφυρογέννητος)	6 June 913 – 9 November 959	The son of Leo VI, he was born on 17/18 May 905 and raised to co-emperor on 15 May 908. His early reign was dominated by successive regencies, first by his mother, Zoe Karbonopsina, and Patriarch Nicholas Mystikos, and from 919 by the admiral Romanos Lekapenos, who wedded his daughter to Constantine and was crowned senior emperor in 920. Constantine was sidelined during the Lekapenos regime, but asserted his control by deposing Romanos's sons in early 945. His reign was marked by struggles with Sayf al-Dawla in the East and an unsuccessful campaign against Crete, and pro-aristocratic policies that saw a partial reversal of Lekapenos' legislation against the dynatoi. He is notable for his promotion of the "Macedonian Renaissance", sponsoring encyclopaedic works and histories. He was a prolific writer himself, best remembered for the manuals on statecraft (De administrando imperio) and ceremonies (De ceremoniis) he compiled for his son, Romanos II.^[13]
	Romanos I Lekapenos (Ῥωμανὸς Αʹ Λεκαπηνός)	17 December 920 – 16 December 944	An admiral of lowly origin, Romanos rose to power as a protector of the young Constantine VII against the general Leo Phokas the Elder. After becoming the emperor's father-in-law, he successively assumed higher offices until he crowned himself senior emperor. His reign was marked by the end of warfare with Bulgaria and the great conquests of John Kourkouas in the East. Romanos promoted his sons Christopher, Stephen and Constantine as co-emperors over Constantine VII, but was himself overthrown by the latter two and confined to an island as a monk. He died there on 15 June 948.
	Romanos II "the Purple-born" (Ῥωμανὸς Βʹ ὁ Πορφυρογέννητος)	9 November 959 – 15 March 963	The only surviving son of Constantine VII, he was born on 15 March 938 and succeeded his father on the latter's death. He ruled until his own death, although the government was led mostly by the eunuch Joseph Bringas. His reign was marked by successful warfare in the East against Sayf al-Dawla and the recovery of Crete by general Nikephoros Phokas.
	Nikephoros II Phokas (Νικηφόρος Βʹ Φωκᾶς)	16 August 963 – 11 December 969	The most successful general of his generation, Nikephoros II was born ca. 912 to the powerful Phokas clan. After the death of Romanos II, he rose to the throne with the support of the army and people as regent for the young emperors Basil II and Constantine VIII, marrying the empress-dowager Theophano. Throughout his reign he led campaigns in the East, conquering much of Syria. He was murdered by his nephew and one-time associate John Tzimiskes.
	John I Tzimiskes (Ἰωάννης Αʹ Κουρκούας ὁ Τσιμισκὴς)	11 December 969 – 10 January 976	Nephew of Nikephoros Phokas, Tzimiskes was born ca. 925. A successful general, he fell out with his uncle and led a conspiracy of disgruntled generals who murdered him. Tzimiskes succeeded Nikephoros as emperor and regent for the young sons of Romanos II. As ruler, Tzimiskes crushed the Rus' in Bulgaria and ended the Bulgarian tsardom before going on to campaign in the East, where he died.
	Basil II "the Bulgar-Slayer" (Βασίλειος Βʹ ὁ Βουλγαροκτόνος)	10 January 976 – 15 December 1025	Eldest son of Romanos II, Basil was born in 958. The first decade of his reign was marked by rivalry with the powerful Basil Lekapenos, an unsuccessful war against Bulgaria, and rebellions by generals in Asia Minor. Basil solidified his position through a marriage alliance with Vladimir I of Kiev, and after suppressing the revolts, he embarked on his conquest of Bulgaria. Bulgaria was finally subdued in 1018 after over 20 years of war, interrupted only by sporadic warfare in Syria against the Fatimids. Basil also expanded Byzantine control over most of Armenia. His reign is widely considered as the apogee of medieval Byzantium.
	Constantine VIII "the Purple-born" (Κωνσταντῖνος Ηʹ ὁ Πορφυρογέννητος)	15 December 1025 – 15 November 1028	The second son of Romanos II, Constantine was born in 960 and raised to co-emperor in March 962. During the rule of Basil II, he spent his time in idle pleasure. During his short reign he was an indifferent ruler, easily influenced by his courtiers and suspicious of plots to depose him, especially among the military aristocracy, many of whom were blinded and exiled. On his deathbed, he chose Romanos Argyros as husband for his daughter Zoe.^[14]
	Zoe "the Purple-born" (Ζωὴ ἡ Πορφυρογέννητος)	15 November 1028 – June 1050	The daughter of Constantine VIII, she succeeded on her father's death, as the only surviving member of the Macedonian dynasty, along with her sister Theodora. Her three husbands, Romanos III (1028–1034), Michael IV (1034–1041) and Constantine IX (1042–1050) ruled alongside her.
	Romanos III Argyros (Ῥωμανὸς Γʹ Ἀργυρός)	15 November 1028 – 11 April 1034	Born in 968, the elderly aristocrat Romanos was chosen by Constantine VIII on his deathbed as Zoe's husband and succeeded on the throne after Constantine's death a few days later.
	Michael IV "the Paphlagonian" (Μιχαὴλ Δʹ ὁ Παφλαγών)	11 April 1034 – 10 December 1041	Born in 1010, he became a lover of Zoe even while Romanos III was alive, and succeeded him upon his death as her husband and emperor. Aided by his older brother, the eunuch John the Orphanotrophos, his reign was moderately successful against internal rebellions, but his attempt to recover Sicily failed. He died after a long illness.
	Michael V "the Caulker" (Μιχαὴλ Εʹ ὁ Καλαφάτης)	10 December 1041 – 20 April 1042	Born in 1015, he was the nephew and adopted son of Michael IV. During his reign he tried to sideline Zoe, but a popular revolt forced him to restore her as empress on 19 April 1042, along with her sister Theodora. He was deposed the next day, castrated and tonsured, dying on 24 August 1042.
	Theodora "the Purple-born" (Θεοδώρα ἡ Πορφυρογέννητος)	19 April 1042 – after 31 August 1056	The younger sister of Zoe, born in 984, she was raised as co-ruler on 19 April 1042. After Zoe married her third husband, Constantine IX, in June 1042, Theodora was again sidelined. After Zoe died in 1050 and Constantine in 1055, Theodora assumed full governance of the Empire and reigned until her death. She nominated Michael VI as her successor.
	Constantine IX Monomachos (Κωνσταντῖνος Θʹ Μονομάχος)	11 June 1042 – 7/8 or 11 January 1055	Born ca. 1000 of noble origin, he had an undistinguished life but was exiled to Lesbos by Michael IV, returning when he was chosen as Zoe's third husband. Constantine supported the mercantile classes and favoured the company of intellectuals, thereby alienating the military aristocracy. A pleasure-loving ruler, he lived an extravagant life with his favourite mistresses and endowed a number of monasteries, chiefly the Nea Moni of Chios and the Mangana Monastery. His reign was marked by invasions by the Pechenegs in the Balkans and the Seljuk Turks in the East, the revolts of George Maniakes and Leo Tornikios, and the Great Schism between the patriarchates of Rome and Constantinople.^[15]
Non-dynastic (1056–1057)

	Michael VI Bringas "Stratiotikos" or "the Old" (Μιχαὴλ ΣΤʹ Βρίγγας ὁ Στρατιωτικός/ὁ Γέρων)	September 1056 – 31 August 1057	A court bureaucrat and stratiotikos logothetes (hence his first sobriquet). Deposed by military revolt under Isaac Komnenos, he retired to a monastery where he died in 1059.
Komnenid dynasty (1057–1059)

See also: Komnenos and Byzantine Empire under the Komnenos dynasty
	Isaac I Komnenos (Ἰσαάκιος Αʹ Κομνηνός)	5 June 1057 – 22 November 1059	Born c. 1005. A successful general, he rose in revolt leading the eastern armies and was declared emperor; he was recognized after the abdication of Michael VI on 31 August 1057. He resigned in 1059 and died c. 1061.
Doukid dynasty (1059–1081)

See also: Doukas and Byzantine Empire under the Doukas dynasty
	Constantine X Doukas (Κωνσταντῖνος Ιʹ Δούκας)	24 November 1059 – 22 May 1067	Born in 1006, he became a general and close ally of Isaac Komnenos, and succeeded him as emperor on his abdication. Named his sons Michael, Andronikos and Konstantios as co-emperors
	Michael VII Doukas (Μιχαὴλ Ζʹ Δούκας)	22 May 1067 – 24 March 1078	Born in 1050 as the eldest son of Constantine X. Co-emperor since 1059, he succeeded on his father's death. Due to his minority he was under the regency of his mother, Eudokia Makrembolitissa, in 1067–1068, and relegated to junior emperor under her second husband Romanos IV Diogenes in 1068–1071. Senior emperor in 1071–1078, he named his son Constantine co-emperor alongside his brothers. He abdicated before the revolt of Nikephoros Botaneiates, retired to a monastery and died c. 1090.
	Romanos IV Diogenes (Ῥωμανὸς Δʹ Διογένης)	1 January 1068 – 24 October 1071	Born in 1032, a successful general he married empress-dowager Eudokia Makrembolitissa and became senior emperor as guardian of her sons by Constantine X. Deposed by the Doukas partisans after the Battle of Manzikert, blinded in June 1072 and exiled. He died soon after.
	Nikephoros III Botaneiates (Νικηφόρος Γʹ Βοτανειάτης)	31 March 1078 – 4 April 1081	Born in 1001, he was the strategos of the Anatolic Theme. He rebelled against Michael VII and was welcomed into the capital. He weathered several revolts, but was overthrown by the Komnenos clan. He retired to a monastery where he died on 10 December of the same year (1081).
Komnenid dynasty (1081–1185)

See also: Komnenos and Byzantine Empire under the Komnenos dynasty
	Alexios I Komnenos (Ἀλέξιος Αʹ Κομνηνός)	4 April 1081 – 15 August 1118	Born in 1056, a nephew of Isaac I Komnenos. A distinguished general, he overthrew Nikephoros III. His reign was dominated by wars against the Normans and the Seljuk Turks, as well as the arrival of the First Crusade and the establishment of independent Crusader states. He retained Constantine Doukas as co-emperor until 1087 and named his eldest son John co-emperor in 1092.
	John II Komnenos (Ἰωάννης Βʹ Κομνηνός)	15 August 1118 – 8 April 1143	Born on 13 September 1087 as the eldest son of Alexios I. Co-emperor since 1092, he succeeded upon his father's death. His reign was focused on wars with the Turks. A popular, pious and frugal ruler, he was known as "John the Good". Named his eldest son Alexios co-emperor in 1122, but the son predeceased his father.
	Manuel I Komnenos "the Great" (Μανουὴλ Αʹ Κομνηνός)	8 April 1143 – 24 September 1180	Born on 28 November 1118 as the fourth and youngest son of John II, he was chosen as emperor over his elder brother Isaac by his father on his deathbed. An energetic ruler, he launched campaigns against the Turks, humbled Hungary, achieved supremacy over the Crusader states, and tried unsuccessfully to recover Italy. His extravagance and constant campaigning, however, depleted the Empire's resources.
	Alexios II Komnenos (Ἀλέξιος B' Κομνηνός)	24 September 1180 – October 1183	Born on 14 September 1169 as the only son of Manuel I. In 1180–1182 under the regency of his mother, Maria of Antioch. She was overthrown by Andronikos I Komnenos, who became co-emperor and finally had Alexios II deposed and killed.
	Andronikos I Komnenos (Ἀνδρόνικος Αʹ Κομνηνός)	1183 – 11 September 1185	Born c. 1118, a nephew of John II by his brother Isaac. A general, he was imprisoned for conspiring against John II, but escaped and spent 15 years in exile in various courts in eastern Europe and the Middle East. He seized the regency from Maria of Antioch in 1182 and subsequently throne from his nephew Alexios II. An unpopular ruler, he was overthrown and lynched in a popular uprising.
Angelid dynasty (1185–1204)

See also: Angelos and Byzantine Empire under the Angelos dynasty
	Isaac II Angelos (Ἰσαάκιος Βʹ Ἄγγελος)	1185 – March 1195	Born in September 1156, Isaac came to the throne at the head of a popular revolt against Andronikos I. His reign was marked by revolts and wars in the Balkans, especially against a resurgent Bulgaria. He was deposed, blinded and imprisoned by his elder brother, Alexios III.
	Alexios III Angelos (Ἀλέξιος Γʹ Ἄγγελος)	March 1195 – 17/18 July 1203	Born in 1153, Alexios was the elder brother of Isaac II. His reign was marked by misgovernment and the increasing autonomy of provincial magnates. He was deposed by the Fourth Crusade and fled Constantinople, roaming Greece and Asia Minor, searching for support to regain his throne. He died in Nicaean captivity in 1211.
	Isaac II Angelos (Ἰσαάκιος Βʹ Ἄγγελος)	18 July 1203 – 27/28 January 1204	Restored to his throne by the Crusaders, actual rule fell to his son Alexios IV. Due to their failure to deal with the Crusaders' demands, he was deposed by Alexios V Doukas in January 1204 and died on 28 January 1204, perhaps of poison.
	Alexios IV Angelos (Ἀλέξιος Δʹ Ἄγγελος)	1 August 1203 – 27/28 January 1204	Born in 1182, the son of Isaac II. He enlisted the Fourth Crusade to return his father to the throne, and reigned alongside his restored father. Due to their failure to deal with the Crusaders' demands, he was deposed by Alexios V Doukas in January 1204, and was strangled on 8 February.
	Alexios V Doukas "Mourtzouphlos" (Ἀλέξιος Εʹ Δούκας ὁ Μούρτζουφλος)	5 February 1204 – 13 April 1204	Born in 1140, the son-in-law of Alexios III and a prominent aristocrat, he deposed Isaac II and Alexios IV in a palace coup. He tried to repel the Crusaders, but they captured Constantinople forcing Mourtzouphlos to flee. He joined the exiled Alexios III, but was later blinded by the latter. Captured by the Crusaders, he was executed in December 1205.
Laskarid dynasty (Empire of Nicaea, 1204–1261)

See also: Laskaris and Empire of Nicaea
	Theodore I Laskaris (Θεόδωρος Αʹ Λάσκαρις)	1205– December 1221/1222	Born c. 1174, he rose to prominence as a son-in-law of Alexios III. His brother Constantine Laskaris (or Theodore himself, it is uncertain) was elected emperor by the citizens of Constantinople on the day before the city fell to the Crusaders; Constantine only remained for a few hours before the sack of the City and later fled to Nicaea, where Theodore organized the Greek resistance to the Latins. Proclaimed emperor after Constantine's death in 1205, Theodore was crowned only in 1208. He managed to stop the Latin advance in Asia and to repel Seljuk attacks, establishing the Empire of Nicaea as the strongest of the Greek successor states.
	John III Doukas Vatatzes (Ἰωάννης Γʹ Δούκας Βατάτζης)	15 December 1221/1222– 3 November 1254	Born c. 1192, he became the son-in-law and successor of Theodore I in 1212. A capable ruler and soldier, he expanded his state in Bithynia, Thrace and Macedonia at the expense of the Latin Empire, Bulgaria and the rival Greek state of Epirus.
	Theodore II Laskaris (Θεόδωρος Βʹ Λάσκαρις)	3 November 1254– 18 August 1258	Born in 1221/1222 as the only son of John III, he succeeded on his father's death. His reign was marked by his hostility towards the major houses of the aristocracy, and by his victory against Bulgaria and the subsequent expansion into and Albania.
	John IV Laskaris (Ἰωάννης Δʹ Λάσκαρις)	18 August 1258– 25 December 1261	Born on 25 December 1250 as the only son of Theodore II, he succeeded on his father's death. Due to his minority, the regency was exercised at first by George Mouzalon until his assassination, and then by Michael Palaiologos, who within months was crowned senior emperor. After the recovery of Constantinople in August 1261, Palaiologos sidelined John IV completely, had him blinded and imprisoned. John IV died c. 1305.
Palaiologan dynasty (restored to Constantinople, 1261–1453)

See also: Palaiologos and Byzantine Empire under the Palaiologos dynasty
	Michael VIII Palaiologos (Μιχαὴλ Ηʹ Παλαιολόγος)	1 January 1259– 11 December 1282	Born in 1223, great-grandson of Alexios III, grandnephew of John III by marriage. Senior emperor alongside John IV in 1259, sole emperor since 25 December 1261.
	Andronikos II Palaiologos (Ἀνδρόνικος Βʹ Παλαιολόγος)	11 December 1282– 24 May 1328	Son of Michael VIII, he was born on 25 March 1259. Named co-emperor in September 1261, crowned in 1272, he succeeded as sole emperor on Michael's death. Favouring monks and intellectuals, he neglected the army, and his reign saw the collapse of the Byzantine position in Asia Minor. He named his son Michael IX co-emperor. In a protracted civil war, he was first forced to recognize his grandson Andronikos III as co-emperor and was then deposed outright. He died on 13 February 1332.
	Andronikos III Palaiologos (Ἀνδρόνικος Γʹ Παλαιολόγος)	24 May 1328– 15 June 1341	Son of Michael IX, he was born on 25 March 1297 and named co-emperor in 1316. Rival emperor since July 1321, he deposed his grandfather Andronikos II in 1328 and ruled as sole emperor until his death. Supported by John Kantakouzenos, his reign saw defeats against the Ottoman emirate but successes in Europe, where Epirus and Thessaly were recovered.
	John V Palaiologos (Ἰωάννης Εʹ Παλαιολόγος)	15 June 1341– 12 August 1376	Only son of Andronikos III, he had not been crowned co-emperor or declared heir at his father's death, a fact which led to the outbreak of a destructive civil war between his regents and his father's closest aide, John VI Kantakouzenos, who was crowned co-emperor. The conflict ended in 1347 with Kantakouzenos recognized as senior emperor, but he was deposed by John V in 1354, during another civil war. Matthew Kantakouzenos, raised by John VI to co-emperor, was also deposed in 1357. John V appealed to the West for aid against the Ottomans, but in 1371 he was forced to recognize Ottoman suzerainty. He was deposed in 1376 by his son Andronikos IV.
	John VI Kantakouzenos (Ἰωάννης ΣΤʹ Καντακουζηνός)	8 February 1347– 4 December 1354	A maternal relative of the Palaiologoi, he was declared co-emperor on 26 October 1341, and was recognized as senior emperor for ten years after the end of the civil war on 8 February 1347. Deposed by John V in 1354, he became a monk, dying on 15 June 1383.
	Andronikos IV Palaiologos (Ἀνδρόνικος Δʹ Παλαιολόγος)	12 August 1376– 1 July 1379	Son of John V and grandson of John VI, he was born on 2 April 1348 and raised to co-emperor c. 1352. He deposed his father on 12 August 1376 and ruled until overthrown in turn in 1379. He was again recognized as co-emperor in 1381 and given Selymbria as an appanage, dying there on 28 June 1385.
	John V Palaiologos (Ἰωάννης Εʹ Παλαιολόγος)	1 July 1379– 14 April 1390	Restored to senior emperor, he was reconciled with Andronikos IV in 1381, re-appointing him co-emperor. He was overthrown again in 1390 by his grandson, John VII.
	John VII Palaiologos (Ἰωάννης Ζʹ Παλαιολόγος)	14 April 1390– 17 September 1390	Son of Andronikos IV, he was born in 1370, and named co-emperor under his father in 1377–79. He usurped the throne from his grandfather John V for five months in 1390, but with Ottoman mediation he was reconciled with John V and his uncle, Manuel II. He held Constantinople against the Ottomans in 1399–1402, and was then given Thessalonica as an appanage, which he governed until his death on 22 September 1408.
	John V Palaiologos (Ἰωάννης Εʹ Παλαιολόγος)	17 September 1390– 16 February 1391	Restored to senior emperor, he ruled until his death in February 1391.
	Manuel II Palaiologos (Μανουὴλ Βʹ Παλαιολόγος)	16 February 1391– 21 July 1425	Second son of John V, he was born on 27 June 1350. Raised to co-emperor in 1373, he became senior emperor on John V's death and ruled until his death. He journeyed to the West European courts seeking aid against the Turks, and was able to use the Ottoman defeat in the Battle of Ankara to regain some territories and throw off his vassalage to them.
	John VIII Palaiologos (Ἰωάννης Η' Παλαιολόγος)	21 July 1425– 31 October 1448	Eldest surviving son of Manuel II, he was born on 18 December 1392. Raised to co-emperor c. 1416, he succeeded his father on his death. Seeking aid against the resurgent Ottomans, he ratified the Union of the Churches in 1439.
	Constantine XI Dragases Palaiologos (Κωνσταντῖνος ΙΑʹ Δραγάσης Παλαιολόγος)	6 January 1449– 29 May 1453	The fourth son of Manuel II and Serbian princess Helena Dragaš, he was born on 8 February 1405. As Despot of the Morea since 1428, he distinguished himself in campaigns that annexed the Principality of Achaea and brought the Duchy of Athens under temporary Byzantine suzerainty, but was unable to repel Turkish attacks under Turahan Bey. As the eldest surviving brother, he succeeded John VIII after the latter's death. Facing the designs of the new Ottoman sultan, Mehmed II, on Constantinople, Constantine acknowledged the Union of the Churches and made repeated appeals for help to the West, but in vain. Refusing to surrender the city, he was killed during the final Ottoman attack on 29 May 1453.^[16]